Promotion the main prize for semi-final winners

Adult Football League
Semi-Finals (Winner on the day)

Cusack Cup Semi-Final
Lissycasey v St Joseph’s Miltown at Lissycasey, Friday 7.30pm (Jim Hickey, Cratloe)
Considering the seesaw form of these sides in recent seasons, it’s hard to believe that only three years ago, Miltown were Cusack Cup and Lissycasey were Garry Cup champions. All because both have been in the second tier since and are now vying for a pre-championship boost of attempting to dethrone holders Ennistymon in the final.
Lissycasey were subsequently beaten finalists to Corofin in 2022, the same season that Miltown dropped to the second tier. However, having secured a first Garry Cup crown in 18 years twelve months ago, it would be a major jolt to qualify for the Cusack Cup decider once more.
Meanwhile it’s 17 years since Lissycasey last contested and won their sole Cusack Cup title, a major carrot in itself this Friday evening as they look to make home advantage count.
The sides already played there in mid-April, with a late Seanie Malone penalty the deciding factor for Miltown to prevail.
The boost of Aaron and Shane Griffin will be matched by Kieran Malone and possibly Cormac Murray if he’s fully recovered from a hamstring injury.
If he is, Miltown will enter as slight favourites but if Miltown’s talisman isn’t ready, Lissycasey could cause an upset.
Verdict: St Joseph’s Miltown

Division 3 League Semi-Final
Naomh Eoin v Michael Cusack’s at Páirc Eoin Cross, Sunday 1pm (John O’Connell, Cooraclare)
Back-to-back league promotions is the major incentive on offer for Sunday’s latest clash between these geographically polar rivals. Of course, they famously locked horns in last year’s Division 4 League decider, with extra-time required to finally crown Naomh Eoin champions. Despite excelling in their new surroundings, this will be their first encounter in 2024 as a final round showdown was avoided by Cusack’s due to a lack of numbers.
The North Clare side do have to make the three hour round trip this Sunday though for the right to take on Wolfe Tones in the final, with intermediate hosts Naomh Eoin fancied to maintain their upward trajectory.

Also at 1pm on Sunday, St Senan’s Kilkee look to bounce straight back up to Division 3 when traveling to Quilty to take on Kilmurry Ibrickane’s second string in the Division 4 Semi-Final.
The home side probably expected to face Shannon Gaels but they lost to tabletoppers Coolmeen while Kilkee easily overcame Sunday’s hosts in Kilkee.
Whether that result was aided by gamesmanship will only be realised on Sunday afternoon, with Kilmurry Ibrickane’s early exit from the Cusack Cup only benfitting their second side’s pick as they now have a wealth of young talent at their disposal to try and reach a final against Coolmeen.
Wolfe Tones will be bidding to tee up a repeat of last year’s Premier Junior B Championship decider when hosting Ennistymon in the penultimate match of the Division 5 League in Shannon on Sunday at 1pm.

Ennistymon edged their recent group meeting but being a second versus a third team, home advantage should bring out the Tones’ best side for the chance to contest two league finals.
Magpies Clarecastle are flying highest in Division 6 but whether they will face a local derby with St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield or a Junior A Championship marker against fellow flagship side Parteen-Meelick will be answered on Friday night in Gurteen at 7.30pm.
The home side did shade their group encounter and have momentum from winning last year’s Division 7 whereas Parteen-Meelick will be determined to make amends for falling at the semi-final hurdle to Wolfe Tones twelve months ago.

St Joseph’s Miltown bowed out in last year’s Division 7 Semi-Final but are now eagerly awaiting the winners of Parteen-Meelick and Éire Óg’s second teams who clash in Meelick on Sunday at 1pm.
High noon on Sunday in Ballynacally is the venue for the Division 8 League Semi-Final between home side Clondegad and Cooraclare.
The Estuary side had a big victory over Cooraclare at the group stages but with promotion and the chance of silverware against Banner on offer, the Milesians certainly won’t be there merely to make up the numbers.